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Maine Democrats say embattled Senate candidate Platner can't pick his replacement

Party leaders say Platner’s campaign has no role in choosing a successor as they prepare an open replacement process if he withdraws.

  • Maine Democratic Party officials urged U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner to withdraw by July 13, with the party prepared to name a replacement by July 27 to appear on the November ballot.
  • Multiple accusations of sexual assault, including a 2021 claim by Jenny Racicot, prompted the push for withdrawal as Democrats seek to preserve a competitive challenge against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
  • Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson accused Platner's campaign of trying to "put their thumb on the scale" of the selection process, though Platner's team denied attempting to influence the outcome.
  • Potential successors including former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson and former state public health official Nirav Shah have signaled interest in the nomination if Platner withdraws.
  • Control of the U.S. Senate hinges on key races like Maine, where Democrats need to flip four seats to overcome the current 53-47 Republican majority.
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Graham Platner was the rising star within the Democratic Party who was set to make the difference during the November midterm elections in the US state of Maine, but last night he withdrew from the race for a Senate seat. Platner's candidacy proved untenable after multiple ex-partners accused him of rape and assault. Democrats must now look for a replacement who can match Platner's success, this time without controversy. With Platner, Democrats…

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Maine Democratic Party says it will hold a convention to replace Graham Platner if he drops out of the US Senate race

Maine Democratic Party says it will hold a convention to replace Graham Platner if he drops out of the US Senate race.

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The Economist broke the news in London, United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
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